Many Domestic Assault Offenders Choosing Therapy

More than half the people charged in domestic assault cases in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality are choosing to take part in a therapy program, say officials with the Department of Justice.

The Domestic Violence Court, which has been sitting in an existing courtroom at the Sydney Justice Centre since June, is a two-year pilot project involving offenders who accept responsibility for their actions.

"I feel our numbers are excellent to start with. It's been sitting now since the end of June and we have had approximately 129 eligible cases go through the court," said Valerie Jewkes, the supervisor of the Domestic Violence Court.

"Approximately 53 per cent of those individuals have shown an interest in finding out more about the program and are initially interested in participating in it."